NO PLAYS EXCHANGED. 




The Bargain Counter 



Price, 15 Cents 



"^^QQ 




eOPYRiaHT. 10««t BY WALTER H. BAKER 4 Ce 






TffF AM A70NS ^^^^^ ^ Three Acts. Seven males, ive lemaies. 
Aill«*< A«J Costvunes, modern ; scenery, not difficult Plays 
a full evening, 

THP rAMNPT MUtfKTFD Farce in Four Acts. Ten mdiee. nine 
ini: t^AOUlCI nUllOiCK j^^i^^^ costumes, modem society? 

scenef yj three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

DANDY DICK ^'^'^^ ^ Three Acts. Seven males, four femaies. 
Costumes, modem ; scenery, two interiors. Playf 
two hours and a halt 

THE SAY LORD QUEX t^^i:^^^^^^::^^^^^^ 

two interiors and an exterior. Plays a full evening. 

HIS HODSF IN ORDFR comedy in Four Acts. Nine males, fonf 
UliJ UVU1JI4 U^ VIWLrn fg^j^j^g^ costumes, modern ; scenery* 
three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

THF HORRY HORSF C^°^^^y ^ Three Acts. Ten males, five 
^^ females. Costumes, modern; scenery easy. 

Plays two hours and a half. 

IRIS I^rama in Five Acts. Seven males, seven females. Costumea,. 
modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

LADY ROUNTIFDL ^^^ ^ ^'^^ ^^^^' ^^^^ males, seven fe- 
males. Costumes, modern ; scenery, four in- 
teriors, not easy Plays a full evening. 

LFTTY ^'*"** *^ Four Acts and an Epilogue. Ten males, five fe- 
^ males. Costumes, modem ; scenery complicated. Plays a 

full evening. 



Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 

Salter i^* QBafier & Company 

No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 



The Bargain Counter 

A Farce in Three Scenes 

For Female Characters 



By 
GRACE MOODY 



BOSTON 

WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 

1910 



The Bargain Counter 



< 



CHARACTERS 



Mrs. Marsh Marigold, an elderly lady. 
Miss Veronica Speedwell, ejigaged to Reggie. 
Miss Daisy Chain e, niece to Mrs. Marsh Marigold, 
Mrs. Crosston, landlady. 
Rose Campion, maid. 

Costumes : — Modern. 




Copyright, 1910, by Walter H. Baker & Co. 



©XLO 



2208 ;■• 



The Bargain Counter 



SCENE I. — Breakfast room in Mrs. Crosston's house. Rose 
Campion discovered sitting in an easy chair. Supposed 
to be dusting. 

Rose. Dear me! {Yawns.) I am tired — it's all work! 
work ! work ! Well enougli to be one of tliese young ladies, 
like these two staying here now — nothing to do, and all day to 
do it in. {Ring at bell.) Postman's bell ! Missus not up yet 
— 1 must answer it, I s'pose. What's the good of going to see 
the postman — he never can ever pass the time of day I Now 
the butcher— Mr. Bob Peany — he is never in a hurry, never ! 
He is an obliging young man, he is, — and has very good taste, 
too. {Ring again.) Oh! Pm coming. {Goes out grumbling. 
Rose outside, loud enough to be overheard.) Oh ! it's only the 
postman. Any letters? Four ! {Ironically.) Thank you, 
sir, and next time please don't ring so loud. Good-morning. 
{Reenters with letters.) Three for Mrs. Marsh Marigold. Hum ! 
they don't look much. I never do hold with them as looks — 
prying like — at letters — nor I wouldn't do it, not for nothing ! 
{Looks at the letters all the time.) Miss Veronica Speedwell ! 
She gets letters ! Why quantities ! look at this fat one. I 
knows that writing — she gets one or two a day like that, and 
soiuelimes a telegram ; all the letters in the same handwriting 
— good, square, natty writing. {Picks out a circular.) What's 
this? Why, a sale at Mr. Early Primrose's ! Great reduction 
at Early Primrose's. Well, this sounds well ! If I can, I will 
slip out later on — I'll go and have a look round. 1 badly wants 
a new hat for Sunday. Why, last Sunday I happened casually 
to meet Mr. Bob Peany, and I felt quite ashamed — I did indeed 
— he is always so smart and affable, and even if Missus does 
tell me Pm extravagant if I get a new hat— who cares for 
Missus? {Enter yi^^.C ^O'^^, aside.) I hope she didn't 
hear that last. 

3 



4 THE BARGAIN COUNTER 

Mrs. C. Now, Rose, don't be idle. I do believe, you 
good-for-nothing girl, you've been looking at those letters ! 

Rose. No, ma'am, indeed ! If you'll believe me I brought 
them into this room with my eyes shut. 

Mrs. C. Well, hurry now, Rose, and get the breakfast 
ready. 

Rose. Yes, ma'am. \_Exit. 

Mrs. C. {putting the room tidy and finding the letters^. 
Deary me ! Well, I never ! What a lot of letters people do 
get nowadays, to be sure. Here's a good, interesting one, seem- 
ingly. 1 never demean myself to look at other people's letters, 
never ! No one / ever met would ! Never do I look at 
another person's envelopes even. {Turns the letters over?) 
I wouldn't be so low; but this here letter — one must take a 
kind of interest in folks as are staying in one's house — this let- 
ter is in the very same handwriting. {Puts on specs.) I do 
believe it is the exact same writing as there has been every 
morning since these ladies have been here in this house — letter 
for Miss Veronica Speedwell, as sure as my name is Sally Mar- 
garet Crosston ! What can they have to write about ever) day 
passes me, it do ! I have my fancy, it must be some )'Oung 
gentleman, and well it may be ! I fancy I was very like Miss 
Veronica Speedwell in features when I were young, and well 
do I remember, twenty- five years ago, it must be, if it is a day. 

Ejiter Miss Veronica Speedwell, l. 

Miss S. Good-morning, Mrs. Crosston ! Any letters for 
me ? Oh, thanks. 

{JPretends not to care^ but very excited— going out, kisses 
her letter, which Mrs. C. perceives.) 

Mrs. C. Pooh ! Well, to be sure ! If I ever ! No, I 
wouldn't look at letters, but I s'pose one may take an interest. 
{^Finds one circular with the flap open and looks at it.) Bar- 
gain Sale ! Dear me ! Great Reductions. Well, to be sure, 
if I ever — begins this very day, too. Great bargains, at Mr. 
Early Primrose's— close by. To be sure, I shall go if I can 
slip out some time ; I want a new bit of carpet in the dining- 
room ; these ladies do trapes and trail about so much. I might 
get a bargain there— one wants bargains nowadays. Tilings 
are all so expensive. Coal riz' too, again — it's cruel. Why — 
{laughing) only the other morning I sees a coal cart go through 



THE BARGAIN COUNTER 5 

the village, and down falls a great lump ; no less than four 
neighbors pops out to see if they can pick it up. 1 sees them ! 
When they see each other, each pretends to be admiring the 
view, and the coal just lies there — well, I did contrive to bring 
it in, unseen. Well, I must go to see if Rose has breakfast 
ready. {Looks out.) Look at Miss Veronica reading that long 
letter of hers. Here's Miss Daisy Chaine coming, too. I must 
get done quickly, to be sure, this morning, and make time to 
look in at that sale, I badly wants a bargain. [^Exit, l. 

Enter Miss Daisy Chaine, r. 

Miss C. No letters for me, only a circular ! {Reads.) A 
sale ! Fancy in this tiny place. Well, I might look in — rather 
absurd, but one never knows when one might pick up a bar- 
gain. I shan't tell auntie, though, or any one ! She always 
says we girls are so extravagant, nowadays. {Enter Miss S., 
R.) Veronica, dear, good-morning. I am going to look in at 
this sale to-day — I want a new lace tie, and I might pick one 
up cheap. 

Miss S. Yes, Daisy, do let us go ; but, Daisy, don't tell any 
one. You see {hesitating) I don't want Reggie to have an ex- 
travagant wife, and if he's not very careful — I mean — if I'm 
not very careful — he — will — won't he? So don't tell auntie or 
any one, but we might look in — I do want a new parasol badly, 
and one might, as you say, get one at a bargain ; but, Daisy, 
do?i't mention it, will you, dear? I've promised to be so 
economical. 

Miss C. All right, we will slip out together, later. Here's 
the newspaper. I always read the fashions, don't you? Just 
to see what jiotio wear, you know ! {Pause.) Why, Veronica, 
haven't you done reading your letter yet? 

Miss S. I have only read two sheets ! Reggie generally 
writes six or seven. You see, Reggie, being a lawyer, has such 
heaps of time to spend. If you are a lawyer you have to write 
novels to while away the time, or else you must be engaged and 
write long letters. {Goes on reading.) 

E?tter Mrs. Marsh Marigold. 

Mrs. M. Girls, haven't you been to breakfast? 

Miss C. No, dear ! Mrs. Crosston is a Httle late. How- 
ever, here she comes. {E?iter Mrs. C.) Well, Mrs. Cross- 
ton, will it be fine to-day ? 



6 THE BARGAIN COUNTER 

Mrs. M. I agree with the poet who said : 

'' I like the weather when it is not rainy, 
That is, I like two months of every year." 

Mrs. C. (aside). What a lady she is for the poets, to be 
sure. [Aloud.) Well, Miss, I hope it will be fine, for I am 
going out for a few minutes to-day. It will be fine, I do be- 
lieve, unless it rains, but then it's generally fine, isn't it, ma'am, 
except when the glass goes up ? I make so bold as to tell you, 
ladies, I've put breakfast in the other room, it being so sunny 
there this morning and 

Miss S. {inter 7'upting). Reggie can't be well ! He's only 
written me three sheets to-day ! I feel so anxious. 

Mrs. C. {going). Oh! It's Reggie, is it ? {^Exit. 

Miss C. Cheer up, Veronica ; doubtless there is a second 
post which will bring the missing sheets, meanwhile come along 
to breakfast. {Aside.) I want to get on, and go to that sale. 
{Aloud.) So come along, and don't worry about Reggie. 

\Exeunt Miss C. a^id Miss S. 

Mrs. M. {shutting up her letters a7td looking at circular). 
I must make some excuse and look in at that sale to-day. I 
have the notice here ! I shall just pop in alone. The girls are 
sure to tell me I am extravagant, or some such nonsense. I 
must say I like a sale. How well does the poet express it who 
says: ** Dear to the heart of the wife, and the ///r^«? of the 
husband, is the Drapery Sale ! " 

CURTAIN 



SCENE \\.—The same. 

Enter Mrs. M., hot and tired. 

Mrs. M. What an afternoon I have had. I am perfectly 
exhausted ! There was nothing in that horrid shop fit to be 
seen. Call it a Bargain Sale ! A regular crush ! Who should 
I see, too, but Lily Laburnum and Pink Hawthorne, and when 
I tried to look as if I hadn't been to such a thing as a sale, 
they called out — ''Why are you hurrying? You look up to 
mischief!" Me up to mischief! Then I never found any- 



THE BARGAIN COUNTER 7 

thing I wanted, and I bought this piece of silk. (^Displays 
piece of silk of a very gaudy and ugly pattern.') Hideous, is 
it not — and useless? Just an odd size too — no use for my 
cushion. I am disgusted, and it was so expensive — I hope the 
girls will -never find out— I am really quite done up, I must go 
and have a rest. The poet so truly says : 

" The best of men and women 
Have ever loved repose." 

I will hide away this horrible thing. (^Puts it under acshion of 
chair.) I can't bear to think of it. How true is the poet who 
says : 

" There's no rest for the weary 
In the thoughts that are past." 

[Exit, R. 

Enter Miss S. displaying piece of silk like Mrs. M.'s, and 
Miss C. with s^nall parcel, l. 

Miss C. My dear, why did you buy M^/— that isn't a 
parasol. 

Miss S. I don't know, it wasn't my fault — that nasty great 
clerk made me buy it. Poor Reggie, he will have an extrava- 
gant wife if he isn't very careful ! 

Miss C. Now you have bought it, what will you do with 
it? It won't furnish your china closet or stock your pantry, or 
anything. {Displays the silk.) 

Miss S. Daisy ! Don't ! I know I shall cry. Isn't it 
horrid? Anyway, don't tell any one, Daisy, don't go on 
showing off the disgusting thing ! I can't bear it. I shall go 
and pack it up, or hide it away, or something. ^Exit. 

Miss C. Don't cry over it ; it will fade it. 

Reenter Miss S. 

Miss S. Daisy, you won't tell Reggie, will you? 

Miss C. {laughing). As I don't even know him it isn't very 
likely. Cheer up, Veronica. 

Miss S. {solemnly). I have always told Reggie everything. 
Now I can't write to him about this ; isn't it awful, Daisy? I 
do feel so distressed. To think that piece of silk might come 



8 THE BARGAIN COUNTER • 

between me and Reggie. It would never do for poor Reggie 

to have 

Miss C. Never mind, Veronica ! Come, run along, and 
pack up your piece of silk underneath all Reggie's letters — 
you have tons weight of them by this time — and try and for- 
get all about it, if yon can! {Exit Miss S.) I don't dare 
tell her I bought a piece of silk exactly the same. {Undoes 
parcel.^ It didn't look quite so horrid in the shop. {Puts 
it inside the piano.') Well, anyway, I shall forget it, and shall 
not let on about being such a fool, even if Veronica does. It 
is the greatest mistake ever to go inside a shop. In future I 
shall always telephone for absolute necessities like veils and 
gloves, and never have anything else but necessities. \_Exit. 

Enter Mrs. C. ; she displays piece of silk, same size and pat- 
tern as the three others. 

Mrs. C. There, look at that ! Well, I never did ! To be 
sure, that ain't a piece of carpet; it's all a wrong size, too — too 
big to do anything, and yet too small to do anything, if one 
may so say. It won't make nothing — I am that vexed, I am — 
extravagant too, you may well say so. I says to myself, Sally 
Margaret Crosston, says I, if you can afford to go spending 
money on a piece of rubbish like that silk, you can't be so bad 
off as you say ! Why, if these ladies were to know of it, they 
might justly say — well, why does Mrs. Crosston keep board- 
ers ? I feel I wasted my money, but that salesman was so per- 
suasive there was no doing anything with him. These men ! 
These men ! I could never have had the face to meet him 
in the street again if I had sneaked off and not bought some- 
thing, and there was no carpet. It's cruel, that it is, and with 
taxes and coal riz', I can't think how I am to live, let alone 
throwing away money on trash. Well, I must make it up 
somehow, I suppose, or anyway, for the present hide it away. 
{Puts it in pocket.) I should be ashamed if any one were to 
find out. Why, even Rose might despise me — me — Sally 
Margaret Crosston to be so taken in — it's too much, that it is. 

[Exit, gruvibling. Bell rings. 

Enter Rose. 

Rose. Tea! They've rung for tea, have they? It's not 
in a mood for tea, I am ! More like murder than tea. Here 
I have been to this here sale to buy a hat ! {Displays piece of 



THE BARGAIN COUNTER 9 

silky same pat fer 71 and size as others.) Call that a hat? Call 
it even a bonnet ? How I can have been so led away passes 
me. {Rings.) Oh, yes ! Ring for tea ! If I could see Mr. 
Early Primrose I would Early Primrose him, 1 would. (^Bell 
rings.) Oh, yes ! Ring away ! I'm coming ! Buying things 
one doesn't want, it fairly maddens me, it do. Ring away ! 
I'll give you tea. 

{Throws her silk down on the table and exitj grumbling.') 
CURTAIN 



SCENE III.— 7%^ same. 

Enter Mrs. M. Sees silk on table. 

Mrs. M. Oh, how your evil deeds find you out. There's 
my silk, and I fancied I had put it away. (^Looks at it.) Yes, 
it is mine. What can I do? Vernonica will see it. Dear me ! 
dear me ! I hear them coming. Oh, I feel so nervous. How 
did it come there, too — oh, here they are \ I could have been 
certain 1 had hidden it away. 

{^Hustles the silk off table on to the top of the piano. Picks 
up paper and pretends to read.) 

Enter Miss C. 

Miss C. (aside). I could have sworn I left my silk inside 
the piano, not outside. Dear me, it's a judgment on one, I 
suppose — I won't look at it; it might be Vernonica's piece. 
No, she has packed hers away under Reggie's letters, I know. 
How hideous it is, too ! I shall just pretend I don't see it, and 
keep quiet. (Sits down a?id hums a little tune. Suddenly 
looks at Mrs. M., who is nervously glancing at the silk and 
hastily aivay from it.) How funny Aunt Marsh Marigold 
looks, and nervous — pretending to read the paper, but she isn't 
really reading at all. (^;//^r Miss S. Miss C, to Miss S.) 
What is the matter with auntie? 

(Miss S. starts and clutches Miss C.) 

Miss S. There's the silk ! 



10 THE BARGAIN COUNTER ^ 

Miss C. The silk — say your silk. 

Miss S. N-no, it isn't mine. 

Miss C. You must have put it there. 

Miss S. I am sure 1 didn't ; mine is up-stairs. 

Miss C. Perhaps it is the silk's ghost. It certainly is very 
uncanny. 

Miss S. I can't bear it ! She might tell Reggie. 

Miss C. Well, don't glare at it ! 

Miss S. I've never even looked near it. I will sit with my 

back to it. {Looks at it all the time.) 

Miss C. Auntie is looking at it now. 

Miss S. {absently). It was so dear ! 

Miss C. And so ugly ! 

Miss S. Poor Reggie ! I am afraid he will have an ex- 
travagant wife if he isn't very careful ! 

Elite}' Rose with tea things. 

Mrs. M. Here's tea ! What a relief ! 

'' Oh, what a tangled web we weave 
When first we practice to deceive." 

{Fumbles with the tea things.) 

Rose {aside). I can't bear to see that silk sitting up there. 
Can I pick it up? The ladies are looking now. Poor Mrs. 
Marsh Marigold seems done up. I do hope they won't ask me 
why I left my things about ; it would look so odd if I was to 
go and take it away now. 

Mrs. M. Do go and tell Mrs. Crosston there's no silk — I 
mean no tea in the teapot. {Exit Rose.) Veronica, my love, 
you don't look well; i? there anything the matter? 

Miss S. No, auntie, thank you, only I was hoping the 
second post would come soon. {E filer Rose ivith letters. 
Miss S. opefiing hers, sits with back to piano.') Little does 
Reggie know or imagine how I have fallen in his estimation. 
Five sheets ! If only I can read this and forget that piece of 
silk. 

Mrs. M. {aside). Perhaps if I sit with my back to it I shall 
forget it. How dark it gets ! I am glad I came in. I agree 
with the poet who says : 

''The dews of the evening most carefully shun, 
Those tears of the sky for the loss of the sun.' 



THE BARGAIN COUNTER II 



Eiiter Mrs. C. with kettle. 



Mrs. C. Who put my silk there? 

All. Your silk ? 

Mrs. C. I mean that silk, of course ! 

Miss C. (aside). Why did the original silkworm ever weave 
that piece of silk ? I begin to see daylight ! More people than 
Daisy Chaine have been taken in ; in fact more than one piece 
of silk was sold. 

Mrs. C. Have you ever seen this before, ma'am, if I may 
make so bold? Well, to be sure ! I can't make it out at all. 

Miss C. {opeiiing piano). I may as well be brave ; no one 
else will be ! I — well — I bought a piece of silk 

Mrs. M. So did I. 

Mrs. C. So did I. 

Miss S. So did I. My poor Reggie ! 

Rose {in background). So did I. 

Miss C. I didn't mean to tell any one, because I felt it was 
so silly and so extravagant, besides being a waste of money, so 
I made up my mind to keep it dark. 

Mrs. M. So did I. 

Mrs. C. So did I. 

Miss S. So did I. 

Rose. So did 1. 

Miss C. I hid mine away, you see ! 

All. So did I. 

( Others produce their pieces of silk. Mrs. C. takes it out 
of a huge pocket. Mrs. M. from behind cushioii. Miss 
S.'s is still tightly folded in a tiny parcel. Rose siiatches 
piece off the table and exit. ) 

Miss C. Now the question is, what can we do with it ? 
AVe all seem to liave been fools — I mean, of course, foolish or 
impulsive — yes, impulsive sounds much better. For one / 
never want to see the ugly thing again. 

All. Neither do I ! 

Miss C. {collecting the silk from each o?te and laying it all 
down before Miss S.). I propose we make it into a table cloth 
or something and present Miss Vernonica Speedwell with it for 
a wedding present. 

Miss S. No ! No ! Poor Reggie ! I should have to tell 
him, and he says, only in this letter, he cannot bear extrava- 



12 THE BARGAIN COUNTER ^ 

gance in women, and he will have an extravagant wife, I am 
much afraid. {Riiig outside.') 

Enter Rose ; displays an e7wrinous placard. 

Rose. Here's a notice, ma'am, left at the door ! The last 
day of the sale ! Cheap pieces of silk ! 

Mrs. M. Is the man at the door ? 

Rose. Yes, ma'am, Mr. Early Primrose hisself. 

Mrs. M. I will go and see him — see to him ! Ruining 
people with his sale — his cheap silk. (^Exit, saying.) How 
well the poet puts it : 

" How dear is revenge 
When we're in the wrong." 

Miss C. This ought to be an amusing interview; come, 
Veronica, let us go and take our share in exterminating poor 
Mr. Early Primrose. 

Miss S. Poor Reggie, I shall have to tell him all about it, 

I know I shall, and {Exennt Miss C. and Miss S. 

Miss S., as she goes out.) He will have an extravagant wife 
unless he's very careful — poor Reggie. 

Mrs. C. Well, it seems that we were all foolish; but if they 
can all afford to waste their money buying trash, they can afford 
to pay more board, to be sure. 1 will go and make out my bill. 
Things are so dear, and with taxes, and coal riz', it's cruel. 

^ \_Exit, grumbling. 

Rose. These ladies have forgotten their pieces of silk. I 
will just collect them, and if they ask for them I'll give 'em 
back; but if they do forget, no harm done. They will make 
my little sisters some handsome dresses, to say nothing of a 
fancy waistcoat for Mr. Bob Peany, if so be as he did ever 
become Mr. Rose Campion, and it would be a pity if no one 
had any good out of the bargain counter. 



CURTAIN 



New Plays 



THE VILLAGE SCHOOL MA'AM 

A Play in Three Acts 

By Arthur Lewis Tubhs 

Author of *^ Valley Farm,^^ ^^Willowdale^^ **The Country Minister^* 
" The Penalty of Pride, ^^ '■'■Miss Biizby^s Boarders,^'* etc. 

Six males, five females. Costumes modern ; scenes an interior and an 
exterior, or can be played in two interiors. Plays two hours or more. 
An excellent comedy-drama, combining a strongly sympathetic dramatic 
interest with an unusual abundance of genuine and unforced comedy. 
The parts are unusually equal in point of interest and opportunity, are 
genuine types of rural character, truly and vigorously drawn and easily 
actable. No dialect parts, but plenty of variety in the comedy roles and 
lots of amusing incident. An exceptionally entertaining piece, full of move- 
ment and action, and without a dull moment. Can be strongly recommended. 
Price 2^ cents 

CHARACTERS 

Richard Elliot, storekeeper and postmaster, 

James B. Graham, a commercial traveller. 

Rev. Mr. Flick, the village parson. 

Hosea Clegg, who belongs to the G. A. R. 

Sam Alcott, who has a more than better half. 

Tad, just a boy. 

Sylvia Lennox, the village school-ma'am. 

Ida May Alcott, who has had advantages. 

Mrs. Alcott, her prond tnamma — somewhat forgetful, 

Elvira Pratt, a dressmaker. 

PosiE, who was born tired, 

SYNOPSIS 

Act I. — In front of the store and post-office on a morning in August. 

Act II. — Same as Act I, the middle of the same afternoon. If more 
convenient, these two acts may be played as an interior scene with very 
few changes of " business " and dialogue, the stage being set in that case 
as the inside of the store, with counter, post-office boxes, etc. 

Act III. — The home of the Alcotts, three days later. 

THE SUBSTANCE OF AMBITION 

A Drama in One Act 

By Mariejosephine Warren 
Three males, one female. Scene, an interior ; costumes modern. Plays 
twenty minutes. A sketch of compelling dramatic interest by the author 
of " The Elopement of Ellen." A serious piece of high class that can 
be recommended. Price ij cents. 



New Publications 



THE NEW YORK IDEA 

A Comedy in Four Acts 

By Langdon Mitchell 

Nine male, six female characters. Scenery, three interiors ; costumes 
modern. Plays a full evening. The most notable contribution to Amer- 
ican comedy of recent years, well known through the performance of Mrs. 
Fiske in all the principal cities of the country. Acting rights are strictly 
reserved, but permission may be obtained by amateurs to play it on pay- 
ment of an author's royalty of 1 25.00 for each performance. 
Price J JO eenls 

THE THUNDERBOLT 

A Comedy in Four Acts 

By Arthur W. Pinero 

Ten male, nine female characters. Scenery, three interiors ; costumes 
modern. Plays a full evening. Published in advance of its production 
in the United States by special arrangement, A powerful acting play 
that reads like a novel. Acting rights strictly reserved for the present. 
Price, JO cents 

CLUB AND LODGE-ROOM ENTER- 
TAINMENTS 

For Floor or Platform Use 

Comprising: "A Ribbon Race," any number, males and females; " A 
Variety Contest," any number, males and females ; " The Shamrock Min- 
strels," four males, three females; " Apollo's Oracle," any number, males 
and females; "Plantation Bitters," nine males, eight females; "Gulliver 
and the Lilliputians Up-To-Date," ten males ; " Dame History's Peep- 
Show," any number; "The Broom Drill," sixteen characters, male or 
female or both. 160 pages. 

Price f 2 J cents 



Sent post-paid on receipt of price by 

Walter H. Baker & Co., 5 Hamilton Place 
BOSTON, MASS. 



New Farces 



THE ELOPEMENT OF ELLEN 

A Farce Comedy in Three Acts 

By Marie J. Warren 

Four males, three females. Costumes modern ; scenery, one interior and 

one exterior. Plays an hour and a half. A bright and ingenious little 

play, admirably suited for amateur actmg. Written for and originally 

produced by Wellesley College girls. Strongly recommended. 

Price J 2^ cents 

TOMMY'S WIFE 

A Farce in Three Acts 

By Marie J, Warren 
Three males, five females. Costumes modern ; scenery, two interiors. 
Plays an hour and a half. Originally produced by students of Wellesley 
College. A very original and entertaining play, distinguished by abun- 
dant humor. An unusually clever piece, strongly recommended. 
Price y 2^ ceftts 

ALL CHARLEY'S FAULT 
An Original Farce in Two Acts 
By Anthony E. Wills 
Six males, three females. Scenery, an easy interior; costumes modern. 
Plays two hours. A very lively and laughable piece, full of action and 
admirably adapted for amateur performance. Dutch and Negro comedy 
characters. Plays very rapidly with lots of incident and not a dull mo- 
ment. Free for amateurs, but professional stage rights are reserved by 
the author. Strongly recommended. 

Price, 75 cejiis 

OUT OF TOWN 

A Comedy in Three Acts 

By Bell Elliot Palmer 
Three males, five females. Scene, an interior, the same for all three 
acts ; costumes modern. Plays an hour and a half. A clever and inter- 
esting comedy, very easy to produce and recommended for amateur per. 
formance. Tone high and atmosphere refined. All the parts good. A 
safe piece for a fastidious audience, as its theme and treatment are alike 
beyond reproach. 

Price, 2^ cents 



New Publications 



PIECES PEOPLE ASK FOR 

Serious, Humorous, Pathetic, Patriotic and Dramatic 

Selections in Prose and Poetry for Readings and 

Recitations 

One hundred selections in prose and verse by F. H, Gassaway, O. W. 
Holmes, Henry Ward Beecher, Alice Gary, R, H. Stoddard, Joel 
Ghandler Harris, Gharles Dudley Warner, J. M, Bailey, Bill Nye, Phoebe 
Gary, John Boyle O'Reilly, Irwin Russell, Lucy Larcom, Wendell Phillips, 
James Russell Lowell, Eugene J. Hall and others. 240 pages. 
Price i 25 cents 



ENCORE PIECES 

And Other Recitations 

Seventy-three selections in prose and verse by Paul Laurence Dunbar, 
Carolyn Wells, Ackland Von Boyle, Gharles Follen Adams, Hans Breit- 
mann, F. H. Gassaway, Nora Perry, J. W, Kelley, Belle Marshall Locke, 
S. A. Frost and others. 210 pages. 

Price f 2^ cents 



BAKER'S TEMPERANCE DIALOGUES 

Humorous, Dramatic and Instructive 

Comprising : « A Drop Too Much," four males, two females ; " A 
Little More Cider," five males, three females ; " The Man With the 
Demijohn," four males ; " Seeing the Elephant," five males, two fe- 
males ; " The Tempter," three males, one female ; " We're All Teetotal- 
lers," four males, two females. A good collection of bright little pieces, 
most of which are also published singly at 15 cents each. 
Price, 2S cents 



Sent post-paid on receipt of price by 

Walter H. Baker & Co., 5 Hamilton Place 

BOSTON, MASS. 



^tice. 50 <Centsr <eacl) 



THE MAGISTRATE -^^^^^ ^^ Three Acts. Twelve males, four 
females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, all 
interior. Plays two hours and a half. 

THE NOTORIOUS MRS. EBBSMITP ^"^'^^ ,'» J"" ^f» 

El' males, five females. 
Costumes, modern ; scenery, all interiors PL ys o, lull evening. 

TffF PROFMfiATF I*l*yi^FourAc</S oeven males, five females. 
Scenery, three interiors, rather elaborate ; 
costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. 

THE SCHOOLMISTRESS ^^'^^^ ^^ Three Acts. Nine males, seven 
females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, 
three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

TBE SECOND MRS. TANQUE8AY ^2^^^ lTt.tL.^tl 

tumes, modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

SWEET LAVENDER ^^™®*^y ^" Three Acts. SeVen males, four 
females. Scene, a single interior; costumes, 
modern. Plays a full evening. 

THF TIMFS CJomedy in Four Acts. Six males, seven females. 
Scene, a single interior ; costumes, modern. Plays a 
full evening. 

THF WFARFR SFX comedy in Three Acts. Eight males, eight 
females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, two 
interiors. Plays a full evening. 

A WIFE WITHOUT A SMII 

modern ; scene, a single interior. Plays a full evening, 



A WIFE WITHOUT A SMII E comedy m Three Acts. Five 
A nirC niiUUlil a JimtrC males, four females. Costumes, 



One copy del to Cat. Div 



I'nt-iif price by 

ompant 

Massachusetts 



New Publications 



PIECES PEOPLE ASK FOR 

Serious, Humorous, Pathetic, Patriotic and Dramatic 

Selections in Prose and Poetry for Readings and 

Recitations 

One hundred selections in prose and verse by F. H. Gassaway, O. W. 
Holmes, Henry Ward Beeclier, Alice Gary, R. H. Stoddard, Joel 
Ghandler Harris, Gharles Dudley Warner, J. M. Bailey, Bill Nye, Phoebe 
Gary, John Boyle O'Reilly, Irwin Russell, Lucy Larcom, Wendell Phillips, 
James Russell Lowell, Eugene J. Hall and others. 240 pages. 
Price, 25 cents 



ENCORE PIECES 

And Other Recitations 

Seventy-three selections in prose and verse by Paul Laurence Dunbar, 
Carolyn Wells, Ackland Von Boyle, Gharles Follen Adams, Hans Breit- 
mann, F. H. Gassaway, Nora Perry, J. W. Kelley, Belle Marshall Locke, 
S. A. Frost and others. 210 pages. 

Price i 25 cents 



BAKER'S TEMPERANCE DIALOGUES 

Humorous, Dramatic and Instructive 

Comprising : " A Drop Too Much," four males, two females ; ** A 
Little More Cider," five males, three females ; " The Man With the 
Demijohn," four males; "Seeing the Elephant," five males, two fe- 
males ; " The Tempter," three males, one female ; " We're All Teetotal- 
lers," four males, two females. A good collection of bright little pieces, 
most of which are also published singly at 15 cents each. 
Price, 2^ cents 



~^^. 



Sent pc 

Walter H. Ba 



91. W. ^tnero's Paps 



THE MAGISTRATE ^^^^^ ^^ Three Acts. Twelve males, four 
females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, all 
interior. Plays two hours and a half. 

THE NOTORIOUS MRS. EBBSMITP ^-"« - J°- ^f- 

El' males, five females. 
Costumes, modern ; scenery, all interiors PL ys n lull evening. 

THE PROFf MlATF I*l*yi^FourAc<.!j .^even males, five females. 
Scenery, three interiors, rather elaborate ; 
costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. 

THE SCHOOLMISTRESS FarceinThreeActs.Ninemales,seven 
females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, 
three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

THE SECOND MRS. TANQUERAY ^iJ^lTl^L^col 

tumes, modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

SWEET LAVENDER ^^"^^^y ^^ Three Acts. Seven males, four 
females. Scene, a single interior ; costumes, 
modern. Plays a full evening. 

THF TIIWFS Comedy in Four Acts. Six males, seven females. 
Scene, a single interior ; costumes, modern. Plays a 
full evening. 

THF WFAKFR SFY comedy in Three Acts. Eight males, eight 
females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, two 
interiors. Plays a full evening. 

A WIFE WITHOUT A SMILE l^Zl^^ ZZl^Z^J^i:. 

modern ; scene, a single interior. Plays a full evening. 



Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 

Waltzv 1$. 13a6er & Company 

No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 



^9 1910 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




Cf)e3^lU 014 212 0732 r 



A^ Yftll I IITF IT Comedy in Five Acts. Thirteen males, four 
AO IVU MuL II females. Costumes, picturesque ; scenery, va- 
ried. Plays a full evening. 

CAMIT I F I^''^™* ^^ Five Acts. Nine males, five females. Cos- 
vAlUlLfl^l^ tumes, modern ; scenery, varied. Plays a full eveaing, 

INIiOMAff ^^*y ^" ^^^® Acts. Thirteen males, three females. 
inuviTlAlX Scenery varied ; costumes, Greek. Plays a full evening. 

MARY STUART Tragedy in rive Acts. Thirteen males, four fe- 
iTlAiyi tJlUAlli males, and supernumeraries. Costumes, of the 
period ; scenery, varied and elaborate. Plays a full evening. 

TBE MERCHANT OF VENICE SxeL'S'^lf^l: SStet 

picturesque ; scenery varied. Plays a full evening. 

ff ICHFT IFII ^^*y ^^ ^^^® Acts. Fifteen males, two females. Scen- 
I\lVllL<L<lL<U ery elaborate ; costumes of the period. Plays a full 
evening. 

THF RIVAT S comedy in Five Acts. Nine males, five females. 
1 llLt nl 1 i\LiJ Scenery varied ; costumes of the period. Plays a 
full evening. 

SEE STOOPS TO CONQUER SS'etLi'; £a.ef tee„'ei'y'r 
vied ; costumes of the period. Plays a full evening. 

TWELFTH NlflBT; OR, WHAT ¥011 WILL 'i^^A^J[i::, 

three females. Costumes, picturesque ; scenery, varied. Plays a 
full evening. 



Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 

Salter i^. TBafeer & Company 

No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 

■ . *. ^ARKHIkL * ae., PNINTCHS. ■OSTON, U.S.A. 






LIBRPRY OF CONGRESS 




014 212 073 2 



